What Is a Linden Tree? | Garden Guides What Is a Linden Tree? What Is a Linden Tree? Reason for flagging? Submit Overview A linden alternatively refers to the basswood in the United States and to the lime tree in Britain. The linden belongs to the Tilia species, and it grows 50 to 100 feet high. It makes an ideal shade tree with an attractive form and dark green foliage. The linden figures prominently in folklore and history. Myths suggest green dryads, or tree spirits were wedded to lindens. The Romans believed the linden was an image of love and fidelity, according to the Teachers College at Columbia University's "City Naturalist" series. Significance The linden served as a sacred tree from pre-Christian to modern times. The linden symbolized Freya, mistress of the earth, and Frigga, the mother goddess, to early Germanic and Norse tribes. Christian Bulgarian people built shrines near lindens. The French planted lindens to signify the religious freedom Henry IV gave to French Protestants with the Edict of Nantes in 1578.

In 18th and 19th century Europe, a village linden often marked a central meeting place for celebrations and the local court of law, according to Fred Hageneder's "The Meaning of Trees: Botany, History, Healing, Lore." Function The linden's environmental and practical benefits go far beyond its significance as a landscape planting. The tree makes a natural habitat for cavity dwelling birds. The flower heads provide a source of nectar for hummingbirds and bees; the resulting basswood honey is a valuable byproduct. Historically, the flowers were thought to relieve anxiety-related ailments, and so were steeped in water to make nerve-soothing teas. Today, linden serves as an ingredient in cold and cough remedies. The wood yields light, soft lumber that is suitable for arts and crafts and utensils. Identification The linden develops many shapes and habits, but all varieties possess similar bark, leaf and fruit characteristics. The trunk looks like a pillar with stout and smooth twigs that bear abundant foliage in summer. The linden leaf is heart-shaped and alternate, which means each one grows in a spiral along the shoot. The pea-sized fruit attaches to a yellowish bract, a modified leaf that protects the flower head.

The American linden features a petal-like scale among its stamens that European varieties lack. Types The American linden makes an ideal landscape planting due to its ability to adapt to a wide range of soils and pH levels, rapid growth and open crown. Until recently, the American variety was one of the most widely planted street trees, according to the Arbor Day Organization. The littleleaf linden develops fragrant, bright, yellow flowers and the small, dark green leaves turn dark yellow in autumn. The formal greenspire variety features a straight trunk, a dense pyramidal shape and a broad crown, while the Redmond provides winter interest when the current year's foliage turns a reddish color in cold weather. Considerations Lindens attract pests and exhibit sensitivity to chemicals. Aphids and cottony maple scale infest the tree. The tiny bugs do not cause damage, but they create a sticky substance called honeydew that attracts ants and wasps. The honeydew facilitates the growth of a dark grey sooty fungus that makes the tree look unsightly. Mites and excessive or inadequate water create distorted foliage. The linden is sensitive to herbicides and other chemical controls.

The Colorado State University Extension says gardeners should avoid herbicide applications near the tree root zone, which is a radius of 2 1/2 times the height of the tree. Keywords: linden tree, linden tree uses, greenspire linden, basswood linden, linden tree legends About this Author Renee Vians has been writing online since 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism and language arts certification from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Her articles have appeared on eHow, Garden Guides and a variety of other websites. Linden Tree | All About Linden Trees Cabinets, musical instruments, medicine Linden Trees Linden trees are part of the Tilia species, though you may recognize them by their other names: Basswood and Lime. The former is native to North America and is a stately tree that grows very slowly. Meanwhile, the later is commonly found in Europe where it is called "Lime," though that is not a reference to the citrus fruit. Rather, "Lime" is an altered form of Middle English "Lind." Appearance of the Tree Linden Tree Leaf and Flowers Linden trees are grand deciduous trees that can grow up to 130 feet tall.

They feature highly distinguishable leaves that are heart-shaped and asymmetrical. The species also bears tiny pea-shaped fruit that hang from a greenish-yellow bract and contain many seeds. Other noteworthy characteristics of the Linden tree include: Flowers: Fragrant yellow flowers appear in the summer and attract numerous bees. Shape: In their youth, Linden trees have a pyramidal shape, though as the tree grows, it develops a more rounded crown. Bark: The Linden's gray to brown bark is soft and malleable, while the grain is straight. The Linden is a sturdy tree; however, given how long it takes to mature, it is not recommended to homeowners looking for a shady yard in a short amount of time. Linden Tree Flowers Linden Tree Types European Linden Tree There are more than 30 types of Linden trees in the Tilia species. The trees grow primarily in North America, Europe and parts of Asia. The most popular are: American Linden: Better known in the United States as Basswood, the American Linden grows well from New England to Florida, and west to Oklahoma. It prefers rich, moist, alkaline soil.

During the summer months, clusters of pleasant-smelling flowers blossom on the branches of the Linden attracting hundreds of bees who suck the nectar and create white honey from it. European Linden: Known in Britain as Lime trees, the European Linden prosper in full sunlight. However, the sun exposure does not speed up the growing process. European Lindens are similar to their American counterparts in that they take years to yield a shady leaf canopy. One of the main differences between the European and American Linden is leaf size. The former has smaller leaves than the latter which can grow up to eight inches in length and five inches in width. Both types of Linden trees produce light-colored wood that is highly pliable, while the bark becomes thick and furrowed as it ages. The Many Looks of the Linden Tree Linden Tree Flower North Carolina South Carolina While the tree grows exceptionally well in moist, fertile soil, it does tolerate clay soils that have adequate drainage. You can often find Linden trees in urban landscapes thanks to the shade they provide after a few growing seasons. Parks and arboretums also house Lindens as they are ideal for blocking wind and for yielding fragrant flowers. Popular Uses In addition to attracting bees, Lindens are very popular with cabinet makers who cherish their straight grain.

The wood is also treasured by cravers, who find the pliable bark ideal for making musical instruments, such as guitars and flutes. Linden Tea Some of the most popular uses for the tree include: Perfume Medicine used to treat headaches, colds, cough and fever Flavoring for tea and oils Additives to hot baths to relieve stomach ailments Centuries ago, the leaves of the Linden tree were eaten raw to promote sweating and reduce fevers. In addition, in some parts of the world, Linden bark is burned and the ashes are ingested to treat intestinal ailments or applied topically to treat ulcers or edema. Interesting Facts Modern day designers transform Linden wood into fancy furniture, but during the Viking Era, the tree's bark was often used to build shields. Meanwhile, artists in the Middle Ages used Linden branches to construct models and carve out elaborate sculptures. Other interesting facts about the Linden tree include: American Linden trees are rarely planted near parking lots, as the tree's fruit contains sticky nectar that can drip and damage car paint. People in Japan weave Linden fibers into their clothing to give it added texture. Centuries ago, hunters used to follow bees back to their hives after the insects sucked the nectar from Linden blossoms.

Once there they would retrieve honey from the bees' hives. Linden Diseases Carving Linden Wood Lindens are hardy trees though they can be plagued by aphids if not cared for properly. The pesky insects do not cause irreparable damage to the tree, but they coat the leaves with sticky nectar that attracts bees and wasps. Another hazard to look out for is cottony maple scale. It has been known to infest Linden trees, though it does not kill them. The scales are more of an eyesore and nuisance rather than a serious threat. Linden Care Growing healthy Linden trees on your property is not difficult. The large tree needs full to partial sunlight and thrives in temperate conditions. To get the most from your Linden, consider the following growing tips: Aphids Leave a Sticky Nectar Do not overwater your tree. It does better in moist, but not soaked soil. Lindens are susceptible to some herbicides, so read the package closely before applying it to your tree. Lindens are large trees with extensive root systems. Remember to plant your tree in open spaces to avoid structural damage. Finally, it's important to remove distorted foliage on a regular basis. You should also remove dead limbs from the tree.

Copyright © 2012 LoveToKnow Corp., All Rights Reserved The Linden Tree | Vitality Magazine | Toronto Canada alternative health, natural medicine and green living Facebook Twitter Imagine yourself sitting under a beautiful tall green tree. The soft summer breeze gently ripples through its shiny heart-shaped leaves. High overhead, you can hear honey bees lazily buzzing in and out of its perfumed flowers. The shade is cooling and the scent has a calming effect. You feel relaxed and alive and aware of its healing energy. This is the linden tree. Sometimes if grows 130 feet high, and produces some of the most powerful herbal medicine known to humans. You may even have one of these trees on your street because they are planted widely in cities, and are fairly common in the countryside throughout Ontario where they are usually known as basswood. In fact there are several names for this important tree. Sometimes the flowers are called lime blossoms. The French know it as tilleul and its scientific name is Tilia europoea or americana. The blossoms are creamy white in clusters of five, on long stalks with a long greenish keel or bract (like the “wing” of a maple seed) beside each cluster.

It is these flowers that are so widely used in Europe to make a herbal tea or infusion — one that is actually so pleasant to taste that you can order it after a gourmet meal in a five-star French restaurant. And no wonder, since linden tea is a very effective digestive remedy. Even the honey made from linden blossoms is said to be health-restoring; it is much sought after and considered to be the best flavoured and most valuable in the world. The honey is also made into medicine as well as delicious liqueurs. A RELAXING ANTI-STRESS REMEDY Linden flowers have always been used in herbal medicine as a calming, relaxing remedy for the nervous system. This is one of those safe herbal teas that can be taken by almost anyone and consumed over a long period of time. When you substitute linden tea for your coffee, you will soon feel a great reduction in stress levels. It is a gentle relaxant especially effective for anyone suffering from nervous irritability. This is because the flowers contain an essential oil composed partly of an alcohol sesquiterpene called farnesol which is antispasmodic and sedative.

The tea has been used without harm even for small children, and in Europe a calming bath is made for overwrought infants by adding a strong linden infusion to their bath water. Children also benefit from the diaphoretic activity when it is given to them during influenza or severe colds. (A diaphoretic promotes sweating, using the skin as an organ of elimination.) There also seems to be an anti-catarrhal effect; one American study has demonstrated that the use of linden flowers for children in the early stages of a respiratory illness will prevent the inner ear infections that often follow. PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE The relaxing effect of linden is particularly felt on the cardiovascular system, especially when there is arteriosclerosis or hypertension (high blood pressure) present. (Linden is hypotensive; it lowers blood pressure.) The British herbalist, Simon Mills, author of Out of the Earth, the Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, points out that linden blossoms have a healing and restorative effect upon the blood vessel walls — one that extends even to the improvement of varicose veins.

A leading French authority on phytotherapy, Henri Leclerc described the effect on the blood as rendering it more fluid, less viscous (thick) and less likely to coagulate. Linden also prevents adherence of plaque to the blood vessel walls, along with the whole list of complications that result from that process. Other French authorities on phytotherapy, Drs. Duraffourd and Lapraz, assert that the flowers act as a plaque anti-aggregant, and Bezanger-Beauquesne gives clinical evidence of mild coronary vasodilation. This means that the arteries inside the heart which provide the heart muscle’s vital supply of blood are less likely to become blocked. In this way, linden prevents constriction of the blood, making strokes less likely. Hundreds of tonnes of linden flowers are consumed in France each year. Along with the widespread consumption of garlic, olives and red wine in the Mediterranean countries, Linden is a likely contributor to the lower occurrence of heart disease in this region. Of course, caution is needed by anyone taking blood thinners, conventional medicine for high blood pressure, or other heart medications, because linden can potentiate (amplify) the effects of those pharmaceuticals.

Careful monitoring would be needed by your cardiologist if you wanted to drink linden tea regularly. But as a preventive, there is probably no better herb for maintaining the smooth inner lining of the blood vessel walls and assuring that stress does not affect the even flow of circulation of the blood. Like so many herbs, linden has several additional medicinal benefits. Many women use linden during menopause to offset nervousness and sleep disorders. Rina Nissim, the Swiss phytotherapist and specialist on women’s health, recommends linden to alleviate unpleasant symptoms before periods and at ovulation. There is a lot of mucilage in linden flowers. This gives them a soothing, healing quality when the infusion comes into contact with the membranes of the digestive system. This demulcent action combined with the relaxing factor has led to the use of the tea for diarrhoea and indigestion. RESTORING THE LIVER One of the most remarkable therapeutic effects of linden is on the liver. In this case, it is the inner bark or sapwood of the tree that is used.

The French have a phyto-pharmaceutical specialty called “aubier de Tilleul de Roussillon,” Roussillon being a region in the south of France where it is thought that the very best linden trees grow. The sapwood is sometimes used in England to treat kidney stones and gout. But in France it is considered an important liver remedy because it has a mild choleretic action (stimulating the flow of bile through the liver) which assures non-aggressive drainage of the liver. This is the key to natural self-restoration of the liver. In France it is also known to be effective in treating viral hepatitis, and patients with hepatitis C have shown very positive results after using it for some time. Over the course of treatment, raised liver enzyme levels were carefully monitored and showed considerable diminishment — almost to normal. Other plants with anti-viral activity were used as well, but the importance of linden bark is its non-aggressive action. When there is liver disease, many conventional pharmaceuticals are simply too toxic for the liver to process.

Herbal medicine excels in treatments for the liver — all of them bitter remedies which work to decongest and restore this essential organ that protects us from the effects of pollution and chemicals in our food and the environment. HOW TO USE LINDEN It is easy to make linden tea. You can obtain the dried flowers from a health food store or herb shop and they are even available in tea bags. Use a heaping teaspoonful (2-4 g) of the crushed flowers (with the bract) per cup of boiling water. As with all herbal teas, it is important not to allow the steam to escape. This is crucial when using linden flowers because the relaxing properties depend on volatile oils which can easily evaporate and be lost in the steam. That’s why you should carefully cover the tea pot or make linden tea in a jar with a screw top lid. If you are in a restaurant, you can place your saucer over the cup containing the tea bag while the flowers are steeping. They should be steeped for about 10 minutes. Drink three cups each day for an indefinite period. A typical course of treatment would last three months.

The tincture is also available as a 1:5 preparation in 25% alcohol. Dose should be 2-4 mils taken three times a day. You can also use a fluid extract (1:1) in 25% alcohol and the dose is 2-4 mils three times a day. Preparing the sapwood is a little different. There are no volatile oils to worry about here because the active constituents are beta-sterol, stigmasterol, fatty acids and linolenic-acids. These require considerable boiling to release them from the finely chopped wood. Normally a decoction is prepared by simmering in an open pot 30 to 40 grams of the wood in 1 litre of water for enough time that the liquid is reduced to 1/2 its original volume. This makes enough to drink in one or two days. Duraffourd and Lapraz recommend drinking great quantities the first few days — up to 3 litres a day — and then continuing at a more moderate dosage of 1-2 glasses a day until recovery has taken place.

The sap wood can be purchased or ordered from some health food stores in Ontario but it is more readily available in Montreal if you have difficulty finding it here. COLLECTING YOUR OWN LINDEN FLOWERS Collecting linden is a pleasant summer day’s occupation. It should be done between 10 a.m. and noon before the hot sun has caused the evaporation of the essential oils. Try to avoid blossoms that are covered with dust. You can time your collection to a day or two after rain. The flowers themselves must be fully opened and dry. Remember that if you are gathering them, you may be allergic to the abundant pollen they contain and so wearing sunglasses and even a dust mask might be helpful. Once collected, the flowers with keel attached should be spread out on a clean sheet or paper towels out of the sun until dry. You will have to turn them over every day. Once brittle, you can store them in jars with tight fitting lids or sealed paper bags. References Linden Tree Pictures, Photos & Information on Linden Trees Linden Trees, Facts and Info on the Linden Tree Here is some detailed information on the linden tree.

Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, in Asia (where the greatest species diversity is found), Europe and eastern North America; they are not native to western North America. Under the Cronquist classification system, this genus was placed in the family Tiliaceae, but genetic research by the APG has resulted in the incorporation of this family into the Malvaceae. They are generally called lime in Britain and linden or basswood in North America. Tilia species are large deciduous trees, reaching typically 20 to 40 metres (70 to 100 ft) tall, with oblique-cordate leaves 6 to 20 centimetres (2 to 8 in) across, and are found through the north temperate regions. The exact number of species is subject to considerable uncertainty, as many or most of the species will hybridise readily, both in the wild and in cultivation.

The leaves of all the Tilia species are heart-shaped and most are asymmetrical, and the tiny fruit, looking like peas, always hang attached to a curious, ribbon-like, greenish yellow bract, whose use seems to be to launch the ripened seed-clusters just a little beyond the parent tree. The flowers of the European and American Tilia species are similar, except that the American bears a petal-like scale among its stamens and the European varieties are devoid of these appendages. All of the Tilia species may be propagated by cuttings and grafting as well as by seed. They grow rapidly in a rich soil, but are subject to the attack of many insects. The Tilia is recommended as an ornamental tree when a mass of foliage or a deep shade is desired. The tree produces fragrant and nectar-producing flowers, the medicinal herb lime blossom. They are very important honey plants for beekeepers, producing a very pale but richly flavoured monofloral honey. The flowers are also used for herbal tea and tinctures; this kind of use is particularly popular in Europe and also used in North American herbal medicine practices.

Most medicinal research has focused on Tilia cordata, although other species are also used medicinally and somewhat interchangeably. The dried flowers are mildly sweet and sticky, and the fruit is somewhat sweet and mucilaginous. Limeflower tea has a pleasing taste, due to the aromatic volatile oil found in the flowers. The flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal (obtained from the wood) are used for medicinal purposes. Active ingredients in the Tilia flowers include flavonoids (which act as antioxidants), volatile oils, and mucilaginous constituents (which soothe and reduce inflammation). The plant also contains tannins that can act as an astringent. Tilia flowers are used medicinally for colds, cough, fever, infections, inflammation, high blood pressure, headache (particularly migraine), and as a diuretic (increases urine production), antispasmodic (reduces smooth muscle spasm along the digestive tract), and sedative. Linden Tree: Comments, Facts, Trivia, Notes on the Linden Tree Nearly 400 European Linden Trees were planted in Back Cove, Portland as a tribute to Maine soldiers who fought in World War 1.

You might not want to park your car under a linden tree as the fruit contains sticky nectar that can drip on your car and damage the paint surface. Thank you for visiting our Linden Tree Pictures at Tree Pictures Online.com, please come back soon for more great tree pictures! United States land is covered by over 30 per cent with trees and forests Tree Picture Finds, Stumbled on these Tree Images We add new tree pictures as they come in to us, on a weekly & monthly basis. We hope you enjoy all our tree photos and information on the different types of trees and species. Tree Pictures Tree Images Video ; a unique collection of tree photos from the start of blue bells under the beech trees , different oak trees images ... along with various pine tree photos. An artistically assembled tree video together with sayings and poems celebrating the tree. Nicely done tree video images with wonderful piano tunes song called Eclipse by Suzanne Ciani.. Sequoia Tree Pictures Sequoia Tree Images, a great collection of the large Titan Sequoias tree. The worlds second biggest tree, the "President" is over 3,200 years old located in Sequoia National Park, California Nevada USA Region.

More Sequoia Tree facts and pictures can be found at our TreePicturesOnline Sequoia Trees Photos page. Tree Photos of Trees from Iceland Tree Pictures and images from Iceland, interesting photos of various trees in summer, autumn and winter. More Winter Tree pictures can be found at impressive Winter Tree Pictures page. Tree wallpaper images can make beautiful backgrounds on your computer`s desktop. See our tree wallpaper photographs link in the left tree categories. Thank you for visiting our Tree Pictures at TreePicture Online.com, please come back soon for more great tree photos! Linden | Define Linden at Dictionary.com linden noun 1. any tree of the genus Tilia, as T. americana (American linden) or T. europaea (European linden) having fragrant yellowish-white flowers and heart-shaped leaves, grown as an ornamental or shade tree. Compare linden family . 2. the soft, light, white wood of any of these trees, used for making furniture and in the construction of houses, boxes, etc. Origin of linden Expand 1570-1580 1570-80; noun use of obsolete linden (adj.) of the lime tree, Middle English, Old English.

See lime 3, -en 2 Linden a city in NE New Jersey, near Newark. Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for linden Expand Contemporary Examples Salahi took her to the home he had shared with Michaele for many years in nearby linden, Va. Honey Harvest at the Waldorf Astoria’s Beehives Josh Dzieza August 2, 2013 linden Avenue is bright and empty in the blue glare of the street lamps. Honey Harvest at the Waldorf Astoria’s Beehives Josh Dzieza August 2, 2013 Historical Examples The European Tetranychus telarius Linn., or web-making mite, spins large webs on the leaves of the linden tree. Our Common Insects Alpheus Spring Packard We can go to the Ivy, that little white shop on linden Avenue. British Dictionary definitions for linden Expand noun 1.

any of various tiliaceous deciduous trees of the N temperate genus Tilia, having heart-shaped leaves and small fragrant yellowish flowers: cultivated for timber and as shade trees See also lime 3 , basswood Word Origin C16: n use of obsolete adj linden, from Old English linde lime tree Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for linden Expand n. "the lime tree," 1570s, noun use of an adjective, "of linden wood," from Old English lind "linden" (n.), from Proto-Germanic *lindjo (cf.

Old Saxon linda, Old Norse lind, Old High German linta, German linde), probably from PIE *lent-o- "flexible" (see lithe ); with reference to the tree's pliant bast. Cf. Russian lutĭijó "forest of lime trees," Polish łét "switch, twig," Lithuanian lenta "board, plank." Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Linden | University of Maryland Medical Center How to Take It Pediatric There are no scientific studies looking at the use of linden to treat children, so you should not give linden to a child under 18 without your health care provider's supervision. Adult Speak to a knowledgeable provider to find the right dose for you. Precautions The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, preferably under the supervision of a health care provider knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine. Linden is considered safe at the recommended dosage.

There have been rare reports of hives or other allergic skin reactions (called contact dermatitis) from touching the lime tree. Frequent use of linden has been linked with heart damage. DO NOT use without medical supervision if you have heart disease. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should ask their providers before taking linden. Possible Interactions There are no known scientific reports of interactions between linden and conventional medications. However, it is possible that linden may interact with the following: Diuretics (water pills): Linden is thought to have diuretic properties, meaning it helps the body get rid of fluid by increasing urine output. If you take other diuretics, linden might increase their effects and raise your risk of dehydration. Lithium: Because linden may act as a diuretic, it could increase the concentration of lithium in your blood. If you take lithium, talk to your doctor before taking linden. Supporting Research Aguirre-Hernandez E, Martinez AL, Gonzalez-Trujano ME, Moreno J, Vibrans H, Soto-Hernandez M. Pharmacological evaluation of the anxiolytic and sedative effects of Tilia americana L. var. mexicana in mice.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;109(1):140-145. Bianca MI. Linden flower (Tillia Spp.) as potential vehicle of Clostridium botulinum spores in the transmission of infant botulism. Rev Argent Microbiol. 2009;41(4):232-6. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al., ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:163, 342, 343. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:240-243. Coleta M, Campos MG, Cotrin MD, Proenca de Cunha A. Comparative evaluation of Melissa officinalis L., Tilia eruopaea L., Passiflora edulis Sims. and Hypericum perforatum L. in the elevated plus maze anxiety test.

Pharmacopsychiatry. 2001;34 Suppl 1:S20-S21. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Christof J. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 4th ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson Healthcare; 2007:532-534. Herrera-Ruiz M, Román-Ramos R, Zamilpa A, Tortoriello J, Jiménez-Ferrer JE. Flavonoids from Tilia americana with anxiolytic activity in plus-maze test. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jul 23;118(2):312-7. Epub 2008 Apr 24. Martínez AL, González-Trujano ME, Aguirre-Hernández E, Moreno J, Soto-Hernández M, López-Muñoz FJ. Antinociceptive activity of Tilia americana var. mexicana inflorescences and quercetin in the formalin test and in an arthritic pain model in rats. Neuropharmacology.

2009 Feb;56(2):564-571. Epub 2008 Nov 5. Matsuda H, Ninomiya K, Shimoda H, Yoshikawa M. Hepatoprotective principles from the flowers of Tilia argentea (linden): structure requirements of tiliroside and mechanisms of action. Bioorg Med Chem. 2002;10(30:707-712. Mur P, Feo Brito F, Lombardero M, et al. Allergy to linden pollen (Tilia cordata). Allergy. 2001;56(5):457-458. Pérez-Ortega G, Guevara-Fefer P, Chávez M, Herrera J, Martínez A, Martínez AL, González-Trujano ME. Sedative and anxiolytic efficacy of Tilia americana var. mexicana inflorescences used traditionally by communities of State of Michoacan, Mexico. J Ethnopharmacol.

2008 Mar 28;116(3):461-8. Picardo M, Rovina R, Cristaudo A, Cannistraci C, Santucci R. Contact urticaria from Tilia (lime). Contact Dermatitis. 1988;19(1):72-73. Rodriguez-Fragoso L, Reyes-Esparza J, Burchiel SW, Herrera-Ruiz D, Torres E. Risks and benefits of commonly used herbal medicines in Mexico. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 15;227(1):125-35. Review. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler V. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. 4th ed. Berlin: Springer; 2001:172-173. Toker G, Asian M, Yesilada E, Memisoglu M, Ito S. Comparative evaluation of the flavonoid content in officinal Tillae flos and Turkish lime species for quality assessment. J Pharm Biomed Anal.

2001;26(1):111-112. Yayalaci Y, Celik I, Bati B. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity on linden (Tilia platyphyllos L.) infusion against ehtanol-induced oxidative stress in rats. J Memb Biol. 2014;247(2):181-8. Yildirim A, Mavi A, Oktay M, Kara AA, Algur OF, Bilaloglu V. Comparison of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of tilia (Tilia argentea Desf ex DC), sage (Salvia triloba l.), and black tea (Camellia sinensis) extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2000;48(10):5030-5034.

Alternative Names Basswood Tree, Linden, Lime Tree | Eat The Weeds and other things, too Basswood Tree, Linden, Lime Tree by Green Deane in Beverage , Edible Raw , Flowers , Grain/Nuts/Seeds , Greens/Pot Herb , Miscellaneous , Plants , Trees/Shrubs Tilia americana: Forest Fast Food My first recollection of basswood was not on the supper table but rather helping my father make pipes. Basswood, Linden Tree, in fruit. First we’d find a nice piece of applewood for the bowl, take the bark off, and boil the bowl wood for a couple of hours on (of all things) the wood stove. That “drove” the sap out so when it dried or was used it wouldn’t crack. After the bowl was shaped, sanded and drilled a stem was needed. That’s when we’d go find a basswood sapling of just the right size to make a stem. At that young age it was easy to run a wire through the core and ream out the pith. That was fitted to the bowl and the pipe was done. There is still one of those pipes we made from over 50 years ago in the house.

It was not unusual that we turned to the Basswood for utilitarian uses rather than food. Even among the native Indians only one tribe — the Ojibwa — was known to eat parts of the Basswood. Others may have but there is no record of it. Indeed, modern foragers may actually consume more of the tree than the Indians did. However, the tree was a major source of fiber for the Indians and that’s where the common name, Basswood, comes from. “Bass” is a corruption of “bast” which is a type of fiber. The Indians soaked the bark for two to four weeks to loosen long fibers. They used the fibers for many of their needs: Bags, baskets, belts, fishnets, house mats, snowshoe netting, ropes, sewing thread and even suturing wounds. It was used where a lot of fiber strength was not needed. The Ojibwa ate the young buds raw or cooked as greens and they used the sweet sap, boiling it down to a syrup. Fortunately, there is more to be had. Bass wood leaves petioles, tongue and fruit Besides the buds the young leaves are a prime “wild green” of the forest. Young shiny shoots are also tasty.

Edible raw or cooked you can make a salad using the leaves as the main ingredient like lettuce. Cooked they lose flavor and shrink in size considerably. The cambium, between the outer bark and the wood, in spring time, is moist and tastes of cucumber. It’s good for soups or when dried can be powdered and used for bread. You can also eat it raw off the tree, the least amount of work for the nutrition and flavor. However, don’t destroy the tree for it. While the flowers are edible raw or cooked a tea can be made from them. Two tablespoons per cup. They also produce a lot of nectar creating high-quality honey. For that Basswood is sometimes called the “Bee Tree.” The tree also has a small nut, more like a seed. Fill one pocket with them as you wander through the woods, crack ’em with your teeth and spit out the shell. The tree can produce seeds when as young as eight years and continue to 100. Past 120 the tree starts to get a lot of “cavities” and becomes home to a lot of woodland creatures, notably porcupines and raccoons.

Basswoods can live up to about 200 years old. As you would guess, denizens of the forest like the Basswood as well. Whitetail deer, rabbits, mice, voles, squirrels, chipmunks and foxes snack on the tree, as do many species of song and game birds including quail. Some voles, however, girdle the tree, killing it. One particular habit of the Basswood is to produce sprouts, especially after the main tree dies. Often you will find a clump of basswood sprouts of varying sizes, many of which get large enough to harvest. Basswood is valued for its wood which is soft, light and easily worked wood, particularly for turned items and hand carving. Natives made face masks out of it. Before synthetics it was was the material of choice for prosthetic limbs. It’s also been used to make boxes, toys, woodenware, drawing boards, veneer, venetian blinds, plywood and pulp. The Iroquois even used the bark as an emergency bandage for wounds. Large tongue-like bracts on Basswood blossom One problem with the Basswood is what to call it.

It has multiple common names and multiple scientific names. Experts can’t agree if there is one species with variations or several species, though they are all edible. While some call the Basswood that grows in Florida Tilia floridana (TILL-ee-uh flo-re-DANE-nah) the current name de jour is Tilia americana (a-mair-ee-KAY-na) . Tilia comes from the Greek word “ptilon” meaning wing, referring to the large winglike bracts of the flower cluster. Some think they look more like tongues than wings. Americana means of America and floridana of Florida. As for common names, particularly in Europe, the Basswood is called the Linden tree. That name comes from the Old English word of “linde.” It’s been called that for some 1300 years. So, where did “linde” come from? That’s a bit more … sticky. Folks of yore somehow noticed that when a bird “deposits” a mistletoe seed the seed sticks to the tree. That is how mistletoe, a parasite, gets from tree to tree.

So they used mistletoe (or holly) to make a glue to put on tree limbs to catch small birds. That was called birdlime, lime coming from the Latin word for mud, limus, so less poetically, bird mud. So limus became lime which became lime+en which became by 700 AD linde which then became linden. Many Brits today call the Basswood the lime tree. (The citrus “lime” came from the Arabic limah.) Lime, in the sense of mud, is still with us today. When we mark a field for sports it is called liming the field. Personally, I like the young leaves right off the tree when they are about the size of your thumb nail. On a recent hike through Spring Hammock in Seminole County a Basswood tree had toppled over. Not uncommon in Florida. Six weeks ago it was upright. But this was prime leafing out season and though toppled it was putting on leaves and I ate my fill. Mild, slightly sweet, tender. Well worth looking for. One more thing. A paste made from the seeds and flowers of the Basswood tree is a good substitute for chocolate.

Green Deane’s “Itemized” Plant Profile IDENTIFICATION: Tall tree to 100 feet, round uniform crown. Leaves alternating, distinctly heart shaped and strongly toothed. Creamy, five-petaled flowers in small clusters,. unique tongue-like light-colored bract with each flower cluster. No other tree in North America has such an arrangement. Gray bark, furrowed with flat ridges. TIME OF YEAR: Spring in Florida, early or mid summer farther north. ENVIRONMENT: Deep, well-drained soil. In Florida that is close to fresh water, lakes and streams METHOD OF PREPARATION Season new young leaves, smaller than mature leaves, lighter in color and shiny. Raw or cooked. Young shiny shoots, raw or cooked. The buds raw or cooked, a bit mucilaginous. Cambium raw or cooked, seeds raw or cooked though usually eaten raw on the trail. Sap boiled down to sugar. { 16 comments… read them below or add one } Justin August 4, 2016 at 16:28 They planted avenues of lime trees round here 80 years or so ago. They are now magnificent, with very tasty shoots through most of the summer.

Nearly got my head kicked in last year for eating them though. Two young men approached, calling me a weirdo, swearing and being very threatening. As far as they were concerned, I was fair game. You have to be so careful in some places. Reply Rickeria Lendale April 10, 2016 at 12:26 I am doing research on my surname Lendale. I once read that it possibly means “People of the Linden Tree”. My great great great grandmother changed our surname from Lanier (family slave name) to Lendale/Lyndale during a census round. She was supposedly Native American here in Florida. So she possibly knew all about the tree. This was helpful in knowing about the Linden tree. Reply J August 28, 2015 at 12:10 My neighbors have what I am sure is a basswood. He says that nothing will grow under it. Is there any scientific evidence that basswood does what (I think) chestnut and some maples do, which is excrete a toxin that prevents other things from growing underneath?

Reply Cory L November 2, 2014 at 15:40 The tea made from linden flowers is so popular in Zurich that it is served in restaurants and sold in the grocery store. And the city sometimes smells strongly of lime tree in the Spring/Summer. Bees love this! Reply Nick Norman August 14, 2014 at 19:37 Green Deane, you are my hero! I live in Florida and have given up on trying to do bushcraft here because I thought that Florida doesn’t have the classic trees in the north such as birch, basswood, hickory, poplars, etc. but are proving me wrong! thanks for all you do and it is just awesome to have someone in Florida that can tell me about nature in my backyard! by the way, what region of Florida are you in? central, northern, south? Reply Audrey K July 15, 2014 at 22:35 I have basswood in my Minnesota yard. The spring leaf buds and tiny leaves are delicious. Once the leaves get more than two inches long they taste grassy, but as they get larger they become tasty again.

I frequently step out the door, pick a hand-sized leaf, and put it in a sandwich instead of lettuce. Reply John S July 15, 2014 at 14:48 I find the European Linden Tree, Tilia cordata, also called small leaved linden, to have better tasting leaves and you can eat them all year round. John S Reply Travis Grimler October 24, 2013 at 12:47 I would love to try to make the chocolate substitute. Have you attempted this yet? Do you peel the fruits or do you grind them with the hull on? Also, when do they cease to work as a chocolate substitute? Reply OP May 15, 2013 at 20:36 Does anyone have a picture or a means to identify a linden tree seedling that has sprouted with two main leaves? I have a tree in the back yard and tons of sprouts…but I cant tell if they are from an elm tree or the linden. Please Help.

Reply Bob July 23, 2014 at 15:05 About a year later than you asked; I just started noticing these trees a few days ago. I asked at a nearby nursery and they said it looked like a Basswood/Linden. I did some looking online and the characteristics were just like my trees. If it still helps, I took a couple of pictures, but I’m just realizing that I can’t see any link for attaching them to this message. If you do want the pix, contact me by e-mail and I’ll attach them to a reply message. Bob

Question: What is the alternative name of the Linden tree?
Answer: LIME